NEW DELHI: Paving the way for expediting a new railway line to boost connectivity to the border area near the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction, West Bengal govt has given its go ahead for fast-tracking acquisition of around 380 hectares of land. With this, work on the 20-km Chalsa-Naxak new line project that was originally sanctioned in 2011-12 is likely to get speeded up.TOI has learnt that the new section, a vital component of the New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri-New Bongaigaon gauge conversion project was placed in abeyance in Sept 2019 due to non-cooperation from the earlier Trinamool govt in the state. Official records show that railways “de-freezed” (revived) the project in Jan along with five others after a six year hiatus but again failed to make any progress with the lack of support from the state govt’s side.They added that soon after BJP formed govt all projects pending for years are being expedited. “Soon after Suvendu Adhikari took charge, railway minister Ashwini Vashnaw visited the state where all pending projects were reviewed and state govt has given the go ahead, including for this strategically important project,” Siliguri MP Raju Bista told TOI.
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Earlier in the day, in a social media post, Bista said, “Happy to share that the ministry of railways has sanctioned around Rs 272 crore for a new 17-km line to Jaldhaka. The route originates from Khunia More near Chalsa, and passes through Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong forest divisions.” He added that the rail link will improve connectivity to the India-China-Bhuta trijunction and boost tourism in the Jhaldhaka-Bindu-Todey Tangta area.Bista said, “The railways and Bengal forest department will carry out a joint survey after the monsoon for the proposed new line.” It will connect Jaldhaka region, on the border of the river originating from a place close to Doklam tri-junction of India, Bhutan, China.
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